Disclaimer: All publicly recognized characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Note: Hello, everyone! First, thank you for choosing to read this little tale! I truly appreciate the reviews, favorites, and follows. Second, this chapter is a tad shorter than the rest. However, I'm trying to make a nice flow – every chapter carrying its own story. I don't want to trap the reader into needless fluff. Hopefully, I'm being successful! With that being said, enjoy this latest chapter!
The Soldier
Chapter Four: "The Pixie"
A blue metal sign reflected against the moonlight: Welcome to the Oklahoma! Discover the Excellence. Unfortunately, the billboard exaggerated the terrain. For miles, dry flatlands stretched across the state. The homesteads resting off the highway were lifted by cinderblocks; junky vehicles parked on brown lawns. As Bella drove north on I-35, the farms transformed into trailer parks. Many of the inhabitants slept. Their snores drifted onto the deserted road. For some unknown reason, the sounds soothed her. The soldier itched to remove her helmet. However, the sun promised to rise within the hour. Her focus needed to be on refueling the beast.
An exit appeared as she approached Ardmore, Oklahoma. Flicking a blinker, Bella drifted onto the access road. A small café sat on the right. Oddly, it provided gasoline. The vampire pulled into the gravel lot, parking at a pump. She removed her helmet and savored the pre-morning air. The distinct smell of coffee wafted into her nostrils. "Damn, that actually smells good," she frowned. Bella missed waking-up to a pot of freshly ground beans. Even in the military, the Roughnecks prepared instant coffee. Some evenings, it was the only thing to provide warmth. Maybe, she'd sample a mug.
The immortal went through the motions. Slowly, the nozzle poured gasoline into the tank. Bella allowed her eyes to wander on the café. An elderly woman flittered inside the establishment, possibly preparing for the morning's customers. She looked tired. Obviously, the coffee was meant for her. The soldier debated interrupting the woman's routine. Bella really wanted to try a cup. Plus, human company sounded pleasant. The waitress had a motherly aura. No doubt, someone knew her as Grandma. Decided, she finished filling the motorcycle and inched towards the door. An obnoxious ringing halted her movements.
An ancient payphone screamed off the corner of the building. "Huh," she paused. Curious, Bella walked towards the monstrosity. The noise ceased. "That's weird." Then, it began to ring again. The immortal grabbed the handset, stuttering a hello.
"Oh, thank God," a woman screeched. "I didn't know if you'd answer! I've been trying to reach you for hours, Bella! You seriously need to buy a cell-phone! I can't keep hunting down every godforsaken phone number."
"Alice," the soldier asked, "Alice Cullen?"
"Who else would it be," the pixie lipped. "I've been watching you for years. Thankfully that gift of yours doesn't block my visions. I've been able to see everything since we left Forks. Well, not everything. Those stupid mutts cast a shadow on things. I didn't even know that you'd enlisted until you were in basic training! If I had of known, I would've kidnapped you. Screw Edward!
"Any way, I needed to talk to you. First, don't go into the restaurant. You'll get caught inside – there's no window film. You'll sparkle like a disco ball. Second, if you're looking for Charlie, he's in Forks, Washington. But, you need to be careful. There are werewolves crawling everywhere. I think your dad is friends with them too. When I look into his future, it's fuzzy. And third, you need to explore California. I can't go into the details, but it's very important that you take in the sights."
"Insert a dime to add additional time," an automated voice intervened.
"Stupid payphones! Seriously, Bella. You need to buy a cell-phone. How are you going to keep in touch with me, Jazz, and Peter? This is unacceptable."
The line went dead. Bella's brow furrowed as she returned the receiver. Snippets of a bouncing pixie lingered at the edges of her memories. They had been friends. However, the immortal felt only annoyance towards her. If she wasn't married to Jasper, the soldier would've ripped her into pieces. The tone of her voice was patronizing. "Fuck her," the vampire mumbled. Despite the generous information, Bella refused to rekindle their relationship. She would not be bought by Alice Cullen.
Returning to the beast, the soldier pondered her next plan of action. Did she want to explore California? "Yeah," she sighed. If the pixie believed something of importance resided there, Bella knew better than to bet against the she-devil. Reluctantly, the immortal resolved to travel towards California and then head for Washington. During the drive, she'd strategize a way to avoid the werewolves. Though apparently, Jacob Black was one of them. She vaguely remembered having sex with him; it had been a painful experience. Hopefully, their teenage stupidity granted her privilege. Bella needed to meet her father – wolves be damned.
Satisfied, the vampire slid on her helmet. There was fifteen-hundred miles of highway between Oklahoma and California. As Peter would say, "She best be getting a move on."